Green/OrganicOpen minded moms!! Learning from others to become wiser while sharing a plethora of our own experiences: twins, miscarriages, foster, adoption, bilingualism and more..surrounding ourselves with good and wise women in the hopes of becoming wiser wives, moms, friends, womenhttp://www.wisemommies.com/index.php/green-organic.html
Tue, 03 Mar 2015 18:42:00 +0000Joomla! 1.5 - Open Source Content Managementen-gbOvarian Cystshttp://www.wisemommies.com/index.php/green-organic/healthier-living-home-remedies/400-ovarian-cysts.html
http://www.wisemommies.com/index.php/green-organic/healthier-living-home-remedies/400-ovarian-cysts.htmlThis is my personal experience with ovarian cysts. Before facing surgery for an orange sized cyst, which eventually grew coconut sized, on one of my ovaries, along with having many other smaller cysts on the other ovary, I wanted to try some natural remedies. My doctor gave me a window of opportunity between a miscarriage that I had had and my next period, approximately 3-4 weeks, to use natural remedies before facing surgery. Not only is surgery a financial strain to many, surgeries themselves pose risks and take recovery time. I personally prefer to try healthy preventative alternatives when possible. However, please don’t continue relying on natural remedies if they aren’t working and surgery could treat something that might actually be a tumor. Always let your doctor know of natural remedies in your diet and take the advice of educated and trained doctors who can better judge your condition in the end. You can always get a second or third opinion.

To find natural remedies for getting rid of cysts, I spent 40+ hours researching and reading. The first 3 pages of google search were consumed with natural remedies from published books but I had a hard time finding facts or success stories from others. Slowly, I pieced together what information I did find.

The below list shows the natural remedies that I supplemented into my diet. All are simple, safe, inexpensive and natural.

Natural Remedies

Vitamin E dosages of 600IU (bedtime)

Vitamin B6 (50mg per day)

Supplemental magnesium (300 mg daily)

Apple Cider Vinger (1/2 a glass with a shot of molasses)

Molasses

Red Root

Tumeric

Dandelion

Shepards purse (I didn’t find this so I didn’t try it but it was recommended for cysts)

Castor oil packets*

Flaxseed & Flaxseed Oil**

Broccoli

Cauliflower

Maca***{jcomments on}

*Castor Oil Compresses

Everynight for 1-3 hours while lying in bed, after my toddler was down, and while reading a book, I would apply warm castor oil compresses. I don’t know how much success it added, if any, to the removal of my cysts, but I believe it helped relieve my pain!

Not only are these good to try if you have a cyst but for monthly preventative care of the ovaries, compresses stimulate circulation and healing within ovaries. Castor Oil is great but other essential oils such as lavender, rosemary or chamomile can also be used.

You can buy ready made castor oil compresses in specialty stores, but I made my own. To make your own: Soak a piece of wool (or flannel) in castor oil. Place it over your abdomen or where cyst/pain is located. You may want to place a piece of plastic on top of that to prevent the oil from staining your clothes. On top of the towel, apply heat via a heating pad or water bottle or you can do a cold compress via bags of ice covered with towels. I personally preferred the heat. Do this daily for at least 1 hour. I’ve read and was told to also relax for 1-2 hours after doing this which is why I always did it at bedtime.

Do NOT do this if you think you might be pregnant or you are trying to conceive!

**Flaxseed

Contains substances such as phytohormones (hormones produced by plants) which help balance estrogen in your body and or help balance the right proportion of estrogen to progesterone in your body. Flaxseed can be added to yogurts, all casseroles, vegetables, fruits, salads, just about anything you are eating.

***Maca

This herb has many benefits such as assisting the body in increasing the production of progesterone but has no hormonal effect. A recommended 1,000mg of Maca is recommended daily to help balance progesterone, regulate menstrual cycles, help reduce ovarian cysts and shrinks overgrowth of tissues such as endometrium, fibroids, cysts in breasts and ovaries for women who respond to hormonal stimulation.

Also helps with increasing your memory, your mood and your energy levels. Personally, I supplemented Maca into my diet for 2 weeks, while withdrawing from my daily 2-3 cups of coffee. I actually felt more energized from the Maca then I ever did from the coffee.

Do NOT take this if you are trying to conceive or think you might be pregnant!

]]>beth@wisemommies.com (wisemommies)Healthier Living/Home RemediesTue, 28 Aug 2012 07:00:00 +0000Natural Defenses against Mosquitoeshttp://www.wisemommies.com/index.php/green-organic/healthier-living-home-remedies/401-natural-defenses-against-mosquitoes.html
http://www.wisemommies.com/index.php/green-organic/healthier-living-home-remedies/401-natural-defenses-against-mosquitoes.html{jcomments on}A couple of weeks ago, we wrote about local and nationwide information regarding the West Nile Virus, click here for that post.

In addition to knowing if your area is threatened by the West Nile, and when or if they are spraying your neighborhood, take further preventative measures against mosquitoes. Especially with peak activity for mosquitoes now upon us for August and September, it is good to know some natural ways to protect you and loved ones.

Our natural defenses

Take vitamin B via an increase in food containing vitamin B, but supplements can also be added. Referenced from the Mayo Clinic, vitamin B changes the odor of a person’s body making them less desired by mosquitoes.

Skin so Soft body oil by Avon. This is our favorite to use, and it really has worked for us. Doesn’t get more natural than this!

Wear light-colored clothing because mosquitoes are attracted to darker colors

Place citronella candles around the patio and yard. It gets so hot in TX that I never even have to burn them to still get great results.

We’ve also placed Patio Eggs around our house. They are DEET-free and work via an essential oil formula.

DEET is the most affective. However, having a 2 yr old, and being pregnant, I’m just not comfortable spraying us down with DEET. It can be toxic. Therefore, I try to take other preventative precautions, avoiding DEET, and thus far, I’ve been successful. Of course, I also try to stay indoors when mosquitoes are most prevalent which is early morning and evening.

If you do use a product containing DEET, make sure to read the label for usage. You do not want to over-apply, and use caution with pregnant women or younger children, or even use the DEET repellents made for kids. Check that all bug repellents have an EPA-approved label and registration number. DEET is a powerful chemical that can be harmful if used incorrectly.

]]>beth@wisemommies.com (wisemommies)Healthier Living/Home RemediesWed, 22 Aug 2012 07:00:00 +0000Patio Egghttp://www.wisemommies.com/index.php/green-organic/healthier-living-home-remedies/402-patio-egg.html
http://www.wisemommies.com/index.php/green-organic/healthier-living-home-remedies/402-patio-egg.html{jcomments on}I would like to personally recommend the Patio Egg as a mosquito deterrent diffuser. Back in June, of this year, when we heard rumors of West Nile getting bad, we took as many natural precautions as possible. Setting out the Patio Egg around our backyard, patio and front yard is one of those precautions. We accepted no money for this advert for the Patio Egg. This is a 100% personal preference. We wisemommies wanted to share with our followers, because we have been happy with the outcome of this product. After placing these eggs out, we noticed hardly any mosquitoes buzzing around.

The Patio Egg is DEET-FREE containing oils: geraniol and lemongrass

You poor 25ml of oil into the egg every two weeks and set the egg in semi-enclosed areas. You’ll have up to 200sq ft of protection.

]]>beth@wisemommies.com (wisemommies)Healthier Living/Home RemediesMon, 20 Aug 2012 07:00:00 +0000Safest Sunscreen for Childrenhttp://www.wisemommies.com/index.php/green-organic/healthier-living-home-remedies/368-safest-sunscreen-for-children.html
http://www.wisemommies.com/index.php/green-organic/healthier-living-home-remedies/368-safest-sunscreen-for-children.html{jcomments on}Last year we talked about a natural sunscreen for children. Click here for that post.With the heat increasing, and hitting mid-summer, we thought we would briefly readdress the idea of creating a natural sunscreen.

If I know my children are going to swim midday for an hour or less, besides sporting a hat, I just make sure they have eaten certain foods which can augment a natural sunscreen within their own skin. Also, if we end up spending 3-5 hours outside, I feel good knowing their skin is protected naturally and I don’t have to rely solely on sunscreen or to keep reapplying sunscreen substances.

Natural sources of protection:

Vitamin E

Well known carotenoids, such as beta-carotene, lutein, and lycopene

Omega-3 not only raises the natural UV protection against sunburns but it also helps protect skin against inflammation if one does get too much sun. So it’s a natural sunscreen and after-sun-healer.

The following is a great list of healthy foods to add to your child’s diet to boost their skin’s natural sunscreen and help protect against sunburns.

Squash such as butternut, winter and summer squashes (excellent for those younger babies 6+months)

Mangos (also excellent for babies 6+months)

Dried Herbs such as Basil, Parsley, Sage, Cilantro, Thyme, Oregano

Paprika

Some berries such as strawberries and raspberries

Kidney beans

Wheat germ

]]>beth@wisemommies.com (wisemommies)Healthier Living/Home RemediesSat, 21 Jul 2012 19:36:00 +0000Curry Powderhttp://www.wisemommies.com/index.php/green-organic/food/366-curry-powder.html
http://www.wisemommies.com/index.php/green-organic/food/366-curry-powder.html{jcomments on}We’ve talked a lot about curry from recipes to health benefits. Curry powder not only contains turmeric, click here for posts talking about its magic, but it also contains a great deal of corriander. Corriander is another spice that we wisemommies love. Health benefits of corriander: reduces inflammation, prevents diabetes, lowers cholesterol, protects against salmonella infection, and is a good source of traditional nutrients such as fiber, iron, magnesium, and manganese.

]]>beth@wisemommies.com (wisemommies)FoodMon, 16 Jul 2012 22:16:39 +0000Benefits from Curryhttp://www.wisemommies.com/index.php/green-organic/food/365-benefits-from-curry.html
http://www.wisemommies.com/index.php/green-organic/food/365-benefits-from-curry.html{jcomments on}If you haven’t added curry to your diet, do so NOW! Curry is thought to be one of the World’s Healthiest Foods!!

Though many Americans and Germans, that I know, still turn their noses up at the thought of eating “curry”, they probably don’t realize how many condiments or dishes they currently may be eating that do contain this spice such as yellow and brown mustard, some packaged soups, some dairy products such as butter, cheese, or yogurt, and certain salad dressings. You don’t have to actually eat “typical Indian curry dishes”, which can sometimes be overwhelming with the flavor of curry, to get the health benefits that curry has to offer. As a matter of fact, most dishes that I make with a heavy curry influence, the curry goes undetected by my family members and friends. Curry can easily be added into your diet, just as most people do with salt or pepper, and most people won’t even know you have added it.

Curry powder is used in cancer treatments, worldwide, and is said to help in possible prevention. Curcumin, found in curry, is a natural anticancer compound. There is an abundance of research showing that Curcumin blocks and fights cancer growth. Click here for one research example from UCLA.

Curry keeps your liver, and other organs, healthy, by detoxifying. Also, curry is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, natural painkiller, helps prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, used to treat depression, natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and lowers cholesterol.

Prostate cancer is the 2nd leading cause of death amongst American men. Research, see resources at the end of this post, has shown that when curry is combined with certain veggies, especially cauliflower, and eaten, there is a great potential of preventing and possibly even stopping the growth of existing prostate cancer. Some of our delicious recipes with curry & cauliflower: 1) Roasted Chicken with Curry Cauliflower 2) Roasted Curry Cauliflower

More Benefits from Curry

May prevent and even “kill off” existing melanoma cells.

Possibly help psoriasis and other skin conditions

Keeps you looking younger as it assists in remodelling of damaged skin

Reduces the risk of childhood leukaemia

Potent but natural anti-inflammatory that works as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs, but without the side effects

May aid in fat metabolism helping in weight management

Has been shown to stop the growth of new blood vessels in tumors

Curry powder contains Curcumin, member of the ginger family and an active ingredient in the herb Turmeric. Turmeric is an extremely healthy yellow spice. At the grocery store, you can purchase curry powder which contains turmeric or buy turmeric direct which will be more concentrated. You might only think of India when you think of Curry, Turmeric is a ground root native to India, but the Western world is quickly opening its eyes to the many benefits of Turmeric and Curcumin found in Curry powder.

Offer small meals: Instead of pushing a full meal into your child, allow him to snack throughout the day. Include healthy foods such as, baby carrots, roasted turkey, slices of an orange and a frosted glass of milk. This will keep your kids energized throughout the day.

Include protein into their ice pops: Freeze dairy smoothies in ice pop moulds. Or simply stab a wooden stick into a kids yoghurt.

Limit juice: Yes, we know kids love their juice boxes, but during the hot summer months, try to swap juice for water instead.

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]]>anna@wisemommies.com (wisemommies)Healthier Living/Home RemediesMon, 02 Jul 2012 15:11:52 +0000Is the air safe today?http://www.wisemommies.com/index.php/green-organic/allergies-asthma/337-is-the-air-safe-today.html
http://www.wisemommies.com/index.php/green-organic/allergies-asthma/337-is-the-air-safe-today.html{jcomments on}Before spending a full day playing outside, or swimming, I will sometimes check the air quality index. Doing so will help you to know the severity of pollution in the air, for a particular day and times of the day, as well as how to better protect your health.

Click on the links below to find the local air quality condition where you live

For a free kids activity book to learn vocabulary and become more aware about going green, click here.

To sign up for air quality alerts, for Texas, which will notify you when your and your children should use caution outdoors, click here.

For more information about health impacts of ozone exposure from the EPA and American Lung Association, click here.

]]>beth@wisemommies.com (wisemommies) Allergies / AsthmaSat, 02 Jun 2012 16:29:46 +0000Earth Day Go Greenerhttp://www.wisemommies.com/index.php/green-organic/healthier-living-home-remedies/301-earth-day-go-greener.html
http://www.wisemommies.com/index.php/green-organic/healthier-living-home-remedies/301-earth-day-go-greener.html{jcomments on}Around the world, Earth Day, celebrated on April 22 in most countries, is a day to observe the importance and need to protect the environment as well as increase awareness and appreciation of the Earth’s natural environment. The 2012 Earth Day theme is “Mobilize the Earth”.

We wisemommies are always trying to reduce our impact on the environment. It’s not easy, and we’ve been taking our own baby steps. We’ve written many posts in the hopes that we can encourage others to also go greener little by little. We wisemommies are trying to create completely organic and natural home environments free of toxins, chemicals and pollution. Earth Day is a great day to start reflecting about the growing concern of our soil, air, and water pollution. Going greener in your home is not only healthier for your loved ones but will ensure that they too will be able to celebrate Earth Day in the future. Help keep our Earth Green! Go Green!!

What are you doing to celebrate Earth Day this year?Here are some of our ideas towards "greenifying" your home, life and lifestyle:

Our posts have been written with the hopes that you will make better informed, “healthier living” decisions by becoming aware of the chemicals in your products and environment. You can better understand what those products are doing to you and your environment and you can start to choose greener products.

To celebrate Earth Day in Dallas: Fair Park, April 21-22, earthdaydallas.org, 214-310-1200

The "Earth Day Anthem" is the same as the “official anthem” of the EU: Ludwig van Beethoven's "Ode to Joy". The Lyrics, below, for the Earth Day Anthem can be sung to the melody of "Ode to Joy".

Joyful joyful we adore our Earth in all its wondermentSimple gifts of nature that all join into a paradiseNow we must resolve to protect herShow her our love through out all timeWith our gentle hand and touchWe make our home a newborn worldNow we must resolve to protect herShow her our love through out all timeWith our gentle hand and touchWe make our home a newborn world

]]>beth@wisemommies.com (wisemommies)Healthier Living/Home RemediesSat, 21 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0000My Experience with Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oilhttp://www.wisemommies.com/index.php/green-organic/healthier-living-home-remedies/296-my-experience-with-organic-extra-virgin-coconut-oil.html
http://www.wisemommies.com/index.php/green-organic/healthier-living-home-remedies/296-my-experience-with-organic-extra-virgin-coconut-oil.html{jcomments on}Although coconut oil has gained controversy over the years, it is actually one of the healthiest fats in the world for you. Coconut oil is made from pressing the mature fruits of coconut palm trees. It's very popular in the tropical parts of the world,like the Philippines. Organic virgin coconut oil is more popular as a cooking oil. This oil is a plant source of lauric acid, a fatty acid recognized for its anti-bacterial, anti viral, and anti microbial properties. It is known to help speed up your metabolism, works wonders for skin, hair,used as a stress relieverand improves the immune system's anti inflammatory response, which helps us fight off diseases.

Just like breast milk, coconut oil is a rich source of lauric acid. A study published from 1998 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition concluded that lactating women who consumed coconut oil and other coconut products on a regular basis had significantly higher levels of lauric acid in their breast milk. Pregnant women who wish to increase the levels of lauric acid in their breast milk should consume coconut oil and other coconut products, such as coconut water, on a daily basis.This will ensure that as their bodies begin to store fat in anticipation of lactation, this excess lauric acid, which will increase anti-bacterial/viral/microbial properties, stored within their fat supply, will be incorporated in their breast milk as they begin the process of lactation.

Coconut oil is a great moisturizer for all skin types, including very dry skin and sensitive skin, such as newborn skin. Therefore, coconut oil is the perfect infant massage oil or lotion. This is especially good for babies suffering from Cradle Cap as the antimicrobial properties of this oil are highly effective at soothing this skin inflammation. This winter I started to use coconut oil as a body lotion on my skin and my son´s skin. I have to say, it has worked wonders in softening our skin and getting rid of those dry patches. On a side note, I even use it as a hair mask on the ends of my hair and believe me it´s the best deep conditioner I have ever used. Note, you need to shampoo your hair probably twice after this treatment, but it´s so worth it. I also started using coconut oil on my son´s scrapes from playing soccer. It really helps to seal and soften any scrapes or scratches that he endures.

I have a big container of coconut oil where I can scoop some of the coconut oil out of, melt it down in a bowl and pour it into a dropper bottle (you can get those in every wholesale store). That way I have some dropper bottles around the house, ready to go, and don´t need to use the big container. There is no need to refrigerate coconut oil, it´s solid at room temperature and melts as soon as you take it in between your fingers/hands. Make sure the coconut oil you get is USDA-certified-organic extra virgin coconut oil, cold pressed to avoid any heat of the coconut oil during production.